Renault Zoe EV production car at 2012

Renault had a surprise up its sleeve at the 2012 Geneva motor show – the new production version of the Zoe electric car will cost just £13,650 in the UK.

That’s after the Government’s Plug-in Car grant which pays up to a quarter or £5000 of an electric car’s RRP, and makes the Zoe a more attractive proposition than other electric cars to date.

Renault says the new Zoe is priced to be an equivalent to a diesel-powered supermini. But you’ll have to add in monthly battery hire, starting at £70 a month. That includes breakdown cover – and a charge-up if you have a flat.

Renault Zoe production car: the lowdown

The French claim the Zoe is the production EV with a range of more than 130 miles on the NEDC cycle. But Renault provides the caveat that in city use drivers will more likely see between 62 and 92 miles depending on the weather (the range extends in warmer conditions and shrinks when it’s cold).

The Renault Zoe has a 65kW electric motor, equivalent to 89bhp, promising reasonable performance. At up to 18mph, it'll emit noises to warn pedestrians of your silent approach.

How clean is the Zoe? Renault quotes around 62g/km across Europe, although that plummets to 12g/km of CO2 in France where much of the electricity comes from nuclear fuel.

Thanks to a new universal charger, the Zoe can be charged at various power points, taking between half an hour and nine hours. And a fast charger will be available for just £2700 – around a quarter the cost of earlier systems.

Renault Zoe: the design story

The Zoe measures 4084mm long, placing it slap bang in supermini territory. It's an attractive small car with five seats and a 338-litre boot. Thankfully, much of the concept's elegance is retained for the production Zoe.

‘We wanted Zoe’s design to embody both a sense of breakthrough technology and core automotive styling cues,’ said styling project manager Agneta Dahlgren-Hermine. 'The car’s eco-friendly dimension is expressed in its pure lines which appear to flow along the bodywork. Its contemporary proportions combined with sculpted volumes make Zoe a reassuring and captivating car.'

The Zoe is part of Renault’s big electric car push, joining the Fluence, Kangoo van and Twizy EVs. The company continues with its big electric project and plans to reduce its carbon footprint by 10% by 2013 and a further 10% by 2016.

Toyota FT-Bh concept at 2012

Toyota's news at the 2012 Geneva motor show was the world premiere of the FT-Bh small car – a Yaris-sized supermini that's 25% lighter than the existing supermini. The FT-Bh weighs in at 786 kilograms.

And if you're wondering about those smoothed-off looks, it's all down to aero. This small car has an admirable 0.235 drag coefficient.

The FT-Bh is basically the epitome of everything Toyota knows about small cars. While it has no immediate production intent, its thinking will help shape the superminis of tomorrow. We'd certainly look twice at a Yaris shaped like this, we reckon.

Toyota FT-Bh: the lowdown

This is another hybrid Toyota – naturally – and its 1.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine is paired to a full hybrid powertrain like on the Yaris hybrid for an average consumption of 135mpg and just 49g/km of CO2.

Considering this car is close in size to a Yaris (3985mm long, 1695mm wide, 1400mm tall), its emissions are roughly half that of a trad supermini, says Toyota.

Mated to a CNG engine, this powertrain would cut CO2 to just 38g/km, says Toyota. Add a plug-in element to the battery charging, and that tumbles to 19g/km. That's some claim.

How come the FT-Bh is so lightweight?

Thankfully, it's not down to exotic materials lurking on the pricey end of the periodic table. Toyota has cleverly stuck to existing materials to achieve that flyweight 786kg mass.

Thin pillars abound, to aid visibility and cut flab, and many of the learnings of the iQ are applied to this model. The engineers ended up in a virtuous circle where everything from climate controls to engines and suspension components could become lighter.

Helping achieve that low drag figure – and that tip-toe stance – are slender 145/55 R18 low rolling resistance tyres.

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta (2012)

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta – it's Italian for the new 599 successor. This is the new front-engined V12 supercar from Maranello, ready to be unveiled next week at the 2012 Geneva motor show in a glitzy three-layer Rosso Berlinetta paint colour.

As the daddy of the Ferrari range, the F12 Berlinetta is the most powerful road car ever produced by the Italians. The 6262cc V12 deploys 730bhp at a busy 8500rpm and 509lb ft at 6000rpm.

So the new Ferrari F12 Berlinetta is fast?

Naturally. Maranello quotes 'over 340kph' (211mph) and 0-62mph in just 3.1 seconds.

But Ferrari makes great claims over the dynamics too. They call it a 'mid-front-engined sports car', with the V12 mounted far back under the bonnet for more neutral handling.

In fact, the packaging of the F12 is as interesting as the edgy, sexy styling. At 4618mm long, it's shorter than the 599 it replaces, with a stubbier wheelbase, the gearbox slung out back in a traditional transaxle and the engine, dashboard and seats are all lower to reduce the centre of gravity. You'll be practically sitting on the tarmac in this V12.

Aluminium aplenty in the Ferrari F12

Long-time technical and design partner Scaglietti helped design the aluminium spaceframe chassis and bodyshell. It uses a dozen different types of alloy to cut weight by 70kg compared with the 599.

So the new F12 weighs in at 1525kg – that's a dry figure with no fluids on board – and 54% of that mass lies over the rear, driven wheels. Ferrari claims the structure is 20% more rigid, despite being lighter. No need for composites here, says Maranello.

Active aero plays a major part in the look of the F12. Something called the Aero Bridge at the nose generates downforce at the front by channelling air away from the top of the lid and along the flanks where it hits turbulent air from the wheels to decrease drag.

Active brake cooling ducts open only at high operating temperatures to cool the carbon discs, minimising drag by remaining flush for most of the time.

The V12 heart of the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

This 6.2-litre V12 has its banks set at 65deg. It's naturally aspirated – no downsizing here – yet 80% of that 509lb ft torque spike is available from 2500rpm. Not that you'll have time to measure that as the F12 slings past 200kph (124mph) in just 8.5 seconds.

A twin-clutch F1 transmission promises finger-snapping quick gearchanges. Clever calibration brings a 30% cut in fuel consumption to around 18mpg, while Ferrari claims 350g/km of CO2. Both those figures are when equipped with HELE (High Emotion, Low Emissions… groan) - that's with stop-start, intelligent use of ancillaries and so forth.

Electronics galore keep all that power at bay. This thing has 80 more horsepower than an Enzo, don't forget. So you'll be grateful for the latest magneto-rheological dampers, the E-diff channeling power at the rear wheels and the latest electro-nannies managing stability and traction.

No price has been set yet, but this car is clearly going to outstrip the £212,000 of today's 599 GTB. We hear somewhere between the GTB and GTO - call it an estimated £250,000 - is likely.

Expect UK sales to start in late 2012, or possibly nudging into early 2013 according to the British distributor.

Fiat 500 Fuoristrada and Jeep Jeepster baby 4x4s

An SUV version of the Cinquecento? A baby Jeep built in Europe? Makes no sense at all? It does to Sergio Marchionne and his team. And if the products are spot-on in terms of design, engineering and quality, Fiat and Jeep may actually have a pair of winners on their hands.

Until not too long ago, il capo grande and his team were of course pursuing a totally different strategy. The idea was to allocate capacity in the Mirafiori plant in suburban Turin for a compact Alfa crossover and for the Jeep Compass replacement. But not so anymore.

Instead, the production planners decided to transfer Alfa and Compass to North America, and to make room in Mirafiori for the next generation Mito and for two so-called CUVs - crossover utility vehicles - the 500 Fuoristrada (Italian for allroad) and the Jeep Jeepster (name still tentative).

Fiat 500 Fuoristrada and Jeep Jeepster - here by 2013

All three new arrivals are based on the so-called small wide components set. Small wide is about Polo-size, also serves the Panda and the upcoming 500 Multipla minivan, and does comply with all relevant US regulations. Which it must, because Fiat intends to increase its Cinquecento portfolio to seven different models all of which will eventually be available in North-America. Small wide is a modular all-steel front-wheel drive matrix with awd compatibility.

The Jeep Jeepster, or Jeep Scamp

The Jeepster will be the brand's first product priced under €15,000. The name rings a bell? So it should: the original Jeepster dates back to 1948, the Jeepster Commando was built between 1966 and 1971, and the marque also showed a striking V8-engined Jeepster concept in 2005.

But the real revival of the Jeepster idea was in fact known as project JJ. Kind of a baby Wrangler codeveloped with Renault under Francois Castaing back in the old days when the shadow of American Motors was still looming large over Motown, this Suzuki LJ rival turned out to be a touch too rudimentary even for Rubicon Trail addicts.

The all-new Jeepster - which may actually be badged Scamp when it comes to market in late 2013 - is more of a downsized, better looking Compass than a sequel of the JJ and the related 1997 Icon proposal.

Fiat replaces the Sedici with the 500 Fuoristrada

At Fiat, the Cinquecento CUV will replace the Seidici, which is a rebadged Suzuki SX4 built in Hungary.

At Jeep, the new family member will be positioned below the next Patriot which remains in the current price and size class. Both vehicles are four-door only with optional AWD, a choice of 1.4-litre Multiair petrol and 1.6-litre Multijet diesel engines and an available automated six-speed Dualogic transmission.

While Fiat is reportedly considering a stacked and rugged Cross version as well as a 160bhp Abarth Esseesse, Jeep may do a higher output SRT model and an off-road-biased Sahara variant. Despite the common platform and chassis and the related drivetrains, both brands are of course preparing bespoke exteriors and interiors.

Ford Focus RS (2014)

Ford’s third-generation Focus RS is shaping up, with an all-new four-cylinder engine good for 350bhp, and with clever tech to help the front wheels put that hefty power down.  

The bad news is that the RS is unlikely to surface before 2014-15, although Ford executives are considering unleashing it earlier in the car’s lifecycle than with previous generations. The good news is that executives are talking openly about the prospect of an RS, and drawing up the £27k super-hatch’s specification.

So what engine will the new Ford Focus RS have to produce 350bhp?

Its engine is set to be a 2.3-litre Ecoboost engine, which is under development in North America and tipped for the next Mustang sports car. ‘The 2.3 is coming but it’s not in use yet,’ said a Ford source. ‘300 to 350bhp is the range we should consider.’ The engine will feature direct injection and turbocharging, to boost power while optimising fuel consumption.

The Mk2 Focus RS mustered 301bhp from its wonderful 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine, which was then cranked up to 345bhp for the limited edition RS500. Expect RS Mk3 peak power approaching 350bhp but from four cylinders: Ford has moved away from that Volvo-sourced five-pot, and emissions regulations will kill it off once and for all in 2013.

Will the new Focus RS be four-wheel drive?

The flagship Focus will also stick to front-wheel drive, with Ford ruling out all-wheel drive. ‘I’m not sure it would deliver a better car,’ said our source. ‘It’s a significant weight increase, it impacts on the platform, and you can’t recover the additional cost of all-wheel drive [in the list price].’

The new RS will almost certainly redeploy the RevoKnuckle front suspension, used (with limited success) to counter torque steer on the last Focus RS. Inserting the knuckle into the front suspension helps suppress the steering wheel’s see-saw action on hard acceleration. The RevoKnuckle isn’t fitted to this year’s Focus ST. ‘But in my view, the Revoknuckle is not a one-off,’ said our Ford source, with a twinkle in his eye.

This new Focus ST – available in the UK this summer – will be more comfortable and refined than its five-cylinder predecessor, with Volkswagen’s Golf GTI a benchmark car for the development team. That smoother character leaves space in the portfolio for the no holds-barred, new generation Focus RS – and as there's no Focus three-door, the RS will come for the first time as a five-door model. While we wait for it, we’ll have Focus ST and Fiesta ST to keep us happy, with both cars set to be launched in 2012.

Hyundai i30 Tourer estate (2012)

Hyundai is on a roll with its Tourer estates. Have you ogled the svelte-looking i40 wagon recently? Many at CAR have, and Mark Walton will in fact run one as his next long-termer.

Today the Koreans unveil their next practical estate car: the new Hyundai i30 Tourer wagon. It's a polished, slick affair, judging by these first photographs issued ahead of its debut at the 2012 Geneva motor show.

Click here to read our first drive review of the five-door i30 hatchback.

What's new on the Hyundai i30 Tourer estate?

This is a very straightforward translation from hatch to estate. The body is stretched by 185mm to increase the boot space.

At 4485mm long, this new i30 Tourer is 10mm longer than its predecessor. Net result? A whopping 528 litres in the cavernous boot. That's pretty vast for a Golf-class car.

Tumble the rear seats forwards and that swells to 1642 litres. Hyundai claims access to the boot is easy-peasy, thanks to a low-cut tailgate opening.

Engines, spec on the new 2012 Hyundai i30 estate

As you might have guessed, it's i30 business as usual under the bonnet. There's a choice of three petrol and three diesel engines, stretching from 89bhp to 133bhp in output.

No prices or UK details have been announced yet, but all i30s come with Hyundai's watertight five-year warranty, breakdown cover and annual 'health checks'

Allan Rushforth, senior vice president of Hyundai Motor Europe, said: 'The New Generation i30 has been widely praised for its style, quality, and value. Our new wagon offers all of those attributes plus even greater load-carrying capacity. 

'We expect it to appeal strongly to those looking for stylish and flexible practicality, especially active families.'

Cue adverts with surfboards and mountain bikes and beautiful young families then...

Mercedes SL63 AMG (2012)

This is the new Mercedes SL63 AMG, a £110k roadster with 557bhp and 664lb ft of torque. Mercedes will reveal this monstrous open-top at AMG model at the Geneva motor show in March 2012.

I’m up with Mercedes’ tricks – this Mercedes SL63 AMG doesn’t have a 6.3-litre engine, does it?

It doesn’t – that ‘63’ designation has been a misnomer for years while the powerplant was actually a 6.2-litre V8.

But that wondrous naturally aspirated V8 is reaching pensionable age, so even though it’s still living on in the SLS AMG and C63 Black Series, the SL uses the latest 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 that’s already been seen in AMG versions of the S-class, CL, CLS and E-class.

In the SL63 AMG that means 530bhp at 5500rpm, plus 590lb ft from 2000 to 4500rpm, all being sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed MCT automatic gearbox. The run from zero to 62mph is dispatched in a brisk 4.3 seconds, 0-124mph takes a scant 12.9 seconds, the electronically limited top speed is 155mph, and if you drive with utter delicacy you might match the official combined fuel consumption figure of 28.5mpg. CO2 emissions are a mightily impressive 231g/km, especially up against the old 518bhp Merc SL63 which did 20mpg and 328g/km CO2.

And for those that want more, the AMG Performance Package pushes peak power up to 557bhp, while maximum torque becomes a huge 664lb ft from 2250-3750rpm. A tenth is shaved off the 0-62mph sprint, three-tenths disappear from that crucial 0-124mph benchmark, and the electronically limited top speed is increased to 188mph. The fuel consumption is unaffected, says Merc.

What else makes the SL63 into an AMG?

It’s not just direct-injection tech, a stop/start system and a downsized bi-turbo engine that help reduce the fuel consumption. The all-aluminium body of the standard SL trims around 110kg from the kerbweight, while AMG touches – like the carbonfibre bootlid support that saves 5kg – mean the overall weight of the new SL63 is 125kg less than the outgoing model. 

The diet will benefit the handling too, which is also helped by an AMG version of Mercedes’s Active Body Control suspension – a more aggressive AMG Performance suspension is an option. Huge 390mm front and 360mm rear discs sort the slowing down, again there’s an upgraded composite version pinched from the SLS as an option, and you can raid the AMG Performance Studio catalogue to spec red brake calipers and bigger wheel and tyres packages.

A bodykit takes care of the visual transformation, with ‘biturbo’ badges, a rear spoiler and quad pipes the most obvious giveaway that this isn’t just a cruiser. Standard SL touches remain, including the Magic Sky Control roof that can be switched from light to dark at the touch of a button.

‘The new SL63 AMG is yet another masterpiece from Mercedes-AMG,’ said AMG CEO Ola Källenius. ‘Be it driving dynamics, lightweight construction or efficiency – the SL63 AMG represents a giant leap forward. Following on from the SLS AMG Roadster and the SLK55 AMG, it now makes our unrivalled roadster family practically complete.’

UK sales start in summer 2012, and with the outgoing car cost £106,820, we expect the new Mercedes SL63 AMG to set you back at least £110k.